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Kalen DeBoer reveals direction Alabama will go in with Jaylen Mbakwe in future

Alabama freshman DB Jaylen Mbakwe (#9) at fall practice with Coach Maurice Linguist.

Jaylen Mbakwe seems to have made the full transition from defensive back to wide receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide. 

The former five-star played the entire 2024 regular season at defensive back. He was spotted playing wide receiver and wearing No. 6 at practice last week by reporters after backing off plans to enter the transfer portal.

DeBoer updated the Crimson Tide’s plan for Mbakwe on Monday as they plan to continue to ‘move in this direction’ with the Alabama native. 

“I think right now where it’s transitioning to just with the opportunities there at that position, I think it’s something that based on what we’ve seen here through the first couple almost two weeks now of him taking reps,” DeBoer said. “He’s certainly got the skill set and really excited about what he can do for us there at that position. He’s got the speed, he’s had the ball in his hands all through high school, running the offense at that level. We’ve used him in the punt return game. We’re just really comfortable with what he can bring to the table now, just learning the position, learning the offense. I think you’ll see us continue to move in this direction with him.”

The Alabama head coach also shared it has been a natural transition for Mbakwe.

“He’s really been focused on the offensive side, really all of our bowl prep,” said DeBoer. “It was natural, number one because of numbers, but number two, just because I think of what he can do as a football player. Not all guys just naturally move into that role.”

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